The representation of technology and justice in Charlie Brooker’s Black Mirror

Following in the footsteps of other anthological science fiction television Black Mirror aims to reflect the issues facing contemporary society. By constructing imaginary futures the programme aims to examine arising problems in relation to technological progress. This thesis will explore how Black Mirror reflects and critiques the changing perception of justice in our technological society. It focuses on three episodes; ‘White Bear’, ‘Shut up and Dance’ and ‘Hated in the Nation’. Each chapter explores how the genre elements and narrative structure are used to convey meaning and create plot twists which challenge the audience’s perception and allow them to think critically about the issues raised.

Chapter one, White Bear, examines the spectacle of punishment and how media can be used to incite and justify violence in the name of fair punishment. Chapter Two, Shut up and Dance, examines how the internet can function as a panopticon and the interplay between visibility and power. The final chapter, Hated in the Nation, discusses how the imagery used in the episode represents the potentially disastrous effects online hate can have and how these changes in ideology can have a kind of ecological effect on society as a whole.

While the show introduces new technologies it is clear that these technologies are not being critiqued. Instead our behaviours and ideology surrounding existing technology and how it is shaping our perceptions of justice is the subject of critique.